How to develop a personal style without a personal stylist

A woman’s guide to developing a personal clothing style that makes her feel and look good everyday.

This article is designed to answer the following questions:

What is personal style?
What do I need to develop a personal style?
How can I develop a personal style of my own?

An illustration of three women, one who is more colorful than the others. She embodies confidence in expressing her vulnerability. [Daily Inspirato]

You already have it

With the rise of style-in-a-box companies like LeTote and Stitch Fix, it’s become increasingly clear that women want style but don’t have the time or know-how to get it. Let’s demystify personal style and develop one for yourself.

Personal style is most critical element to developing clothing-confidence

Daily Inspirato research tells us that personal style is the #1 element that impacts a woman’s confidence in clothing. The Daily Inspirato research spent a substantial amount of time investigating personal style by interviewing women with, and without personal style.

Personal style defined

Personal style is not being “trendy”. Erase the belief that you have to adhere to “trends” in order to develop personal style. You can feel relevant while choosing pieces that seamlessly float from season to season.

Personal style is defined as the ability to dress her body in a way she loves. She is not afraid to express herself through clothing and she cares about how her outward appearance is conveyed to the world.

The 3 elements of personal style

The Daily Inspirato personal style research revealed differences between women with, and without, personal style. The main ingredients to developing personal style are a mix of calculation and emotion: 1) knowing how to dress her body, 2) resiliency, and 3) vulnerability.

The 4C’s, or the “dress code”: An understanding of what color, cut, cloth, and comfort looks best on you. This is the formula behind finding pieces that will work for your body type and style.
Resiliency: The ability to get back on your feet after a wardrobe misstep, or perhaps even a rude comment. Women with personal style have made mistakes, but they have gotten “back on the horse” and continued on with finding looks that work for them.
Vulnerability: There is an emotional element to clothing. You are saying “this is how I want to look”, and guess what? Not all of us are destined, or designed, to wear the same clothing. We are individuals. Women with personal style are able to recognize the way they dress might be different from other women and they’re okay with that. In fact, they embrace it.

So what next?

Women with personal style know how to dress their bodies in a way they love, understand that mistakes happen, and enjoy developing a look of their own. Once you become familiar with these first few steps, you can begin taking note of styles you like and want to try.

Finding inspiration

Personal style is less about being known for that one “thing” (for example, being known as always wearing a neck scarf), and instead, having a living, breathing aesthetic that feels like you. It’s unique.

Researching other people’s style may be helpful in figuring out what you yourself like. Document what you see around you and take note of the styles you do, and do not like.

Dressing for work, for life

For some women, the separate their work and "fun” wardrobes, while others have more of a blend. Depending on your occupation, it may be true that what you wear to work doesn’t comfortably transition to your life outside.

While we each have varying occupations that require us to dress a certain way, it’s important to remember that you have absolute control over what your wardrobe looks like in both cases, it’s just a matter of meeting the work-dress code and finding what you like to wear outside of work.

If the two happen to blend, that’s all the better.

Does it cost a lot to create a personal style?

NO. While many speak of the benefit to buying quality, investment pieces–I say work with what you have. There are ways to shop smarter, not harder, so be sure to read this article about documenting the items you need prior to shopping for them.